Venezuela - US Conflict: News, Updates

[HAIDER]

France says capture of Venezuelan president violates international law​

'France recalls that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that sovereign peoples alone decide their own future,' says Jean-Noel Barrot​

Burak Bir |03.01.2026 - Update : 03.01.2026

LONDON

France's foreign minister on Saturday said that the US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro violates the principles of international law on the use of force.

On Maduro’s rule, Jean-Noel Barrot said that by seizing power from the Venezuelan people and depriving them of their fundamental freedoms, Maduro "inflicted a grave violation on their dignity and on their right to self-determination."

On the US social media company X, he said that France has consistently committed itself, notably through its mediation efforts, to upholding respect for the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people, whose voice must prevail.

However, Barrot pointed out the need to act in line with international law.

"The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro contravenes the principle of non-use of force that underpins international law," he wrote.

He said: "France recalls that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that sovereign peoples alone decide their own future."

Barrot also warned that the growing number of violations of this principle by nations entrusted with the primary responsibility of permanent UN Security Council membership will have "serious consequences" for global security, sparing no one.

"France is preparing for this, but cannot bring itself to accept it," he said, adding that France reiterates its commitment to the UN Charter, which must continue to guide the international action of states, "always and everywhere."

French far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella criticized Maduro over "dictatorship" and "endless economic crisis," but said respect for international law and the sovereignty of states" cannot be applied selectively."

"The forcible overthrow of a government from the outside cannot constitute an acceptable response, only exacerbating the geopolitical instability of our time," he wrote on X.

Bardella said France must draw lessons from its strategic and geopolitical vulnerability, adding that it is vital to pursue a resolute effort to rearm the country, strengthen its industrial and military capabilities, and rebuild a diplomatic network "weakened by (President) Emmanuel Macron."

"At this juncture, we can only call for the Venezuelan people to be given the floor as soon as possible, so that they can emerge from this major crisis through a free, transparent, and fair democratic process," he said.

Earlier Saturday, Venezuela’s government accused the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states, and declared ‌a national ‌emergency.

On his social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump confirmed the "large scale" strike, adding that Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of the country."

The attacks came after months of growing US pressure on Maduro, who Washington accuses of being involved in drug trafficking. The Venezuelan leader had denied the claims and expressed readiness for talks.

Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said they were "unaware" of Maduro's whereabouts, demanding the Trump administration provide "proof of life” of the president.

France says capture of Venezuelan president violates international law

'France recalls that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that sovereign peoples alone decide their own future,' says Jean-Noel Barrot - Anadolu Ajansı

www.aa.com.tr

might is right

 

[Meengla]

It comes down to mission planning and technology used. Black Hawk Down happened in an ill-planned scenario without cover from other forces. The military operation in Venezuela is entirely different in its conduct and scale.

Right. And speaking of military planning. Here is straight from the horse's mouth, with an implicit threat of repeating such feats in future, if necessary.
And I think, the poorer a nation, the easier it would be to find the moles inside.

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[RocketLaw]

Do you think World War 3 is coming this year or ?

 

[Master Chief]

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Pointless. Their leaders and generals sold out Maduro a long time ago. Shockingly weak.

There are lessons to be learned here for Iran and Pakistan - stay united, do not tolerate those who derail national unity and the sovereignty of your borders for their own political gains.

Yes - all you Imran-ites who drivel on about how bad the fauj is - this is directed towards you. Absolutely the biggest problem is your state of chronic myopia that somehow, calling one's borders into question is a sign of "patriotism".

Feel free to respond with "but but but the fauj did this". Nobody gives a damn as long as our nations do not end up like Venezuela. Take a good look and see what could easily happen to any nation. Turkiye just barely avoided this outcome of foreign sponsored regime change and they have quietly built and rejuvenated their independence since then. Iran and Pakistan need to avoid multiple new traps and proceed along the same path.

 

[Beijingwalker]

might is right

Might is right is not right and countries should work together to change that.

 

[HAIDER]

Might is right is not right and countries should work together to change that.

Every power touch's its peak before .............

 

[LeGenD]

It would have never crossed Maduros mind or actually anyone's mind that United States will actually go naked in front of whole world and abduct the president of another state.

If he would have thought that US could do such a cheap move then he would have had simply stationed his own special forces at his residence. Plus manpads and other preparations. It would never be possible to extract him then.

It is simply the inability of the world to understand that US can do anything to steal oil. Once the world understands the hegemonic & cunning mindset that prevails US then it will become a lot harder for the US to do ops like that.

Venezuela defenses were crippled, military bases were struck and his guards were killed. The US war-machine is too advanced and capable in conventional role.

 

[Bilal]

Venezuela defenses were crippled, military bases were struck and his guards were killed. The US war-machine is too advanced and capable in conventional role.

 

[LeGenD]

Here’s the thing. If US tries to run the country or station troops then welcome to guerrilla war.

The “Mission Accomplished” euphoria can turn sour pretty quick.

The US have found a way to influence Venezuela from a distance and I doubt that it would come to that. However, Venezuela is fully accessible to the US from the sea so guerilla warfare is unlikely to provide a breakthrough there. There is another thing: the CIA have infiltrated Venezuela.

 

[Master Chief]

@F-22Raptor

I am amazed at your posts. I wonder why you are not feeling ashamed? You are actually feeling proud of being a thief. ENTIRE planet knows you are doing this to steal Venezuelan oil.

Every special forces of the world can do an op like that. Its simply is that no one expects another nation to abduct president of soverign state. It depends how morally corrupt you have to go. If Maduro could have known how morally corrupt the US is then no way on earth you could have extracted him.

Anyways, enjoy stealing resources of other nations, that's what define you guys.

It's more than that. These shameless folks defend Trump after the release of the Epstein documents.

Regardless of ANYTHING else he has done or not done in terms of nation building, how can he be defended by any of these American "patriots"?

Perhaps he always planned to smash and grab Maduro, but the timing is very convenient for his domestic troubles.

 

[Bilal]

The US have found a way to influence Venezuela from a distance and I doubt that it would come to that. However, Venezuela is fully accessible to the US from the sea so guerilla warfare is unlikely to provide a breakthrough there either. There is another thing: CIA is 100% active inside Venezuela.

CIA was active pretty much in all previous theaters. It’s not about breakthrough but cost benefit. US fiscal situation is not what it used to be. It “can” turn out to be a very costly drain.

It’s easy to squeeze toothpaste out of the tube just impossible to put it back in.

 

[Meengla]

Here’s the thing. If US tries to run the country or station troops then welcome to guerrilla war.
The “Mission Accomplished” euphoria can turn sour pretty quick.

Haha. Trump already sidestepped the question about 'boots on the ground' in a CNN video I posted above. He said something like 'Yeah, we had boots on the ground', referring to the Maduro kidnapping operation and then added something like 'We will need boots on the ground to secure the OIL infrastructure'. Hahahaha!!
That's the extent of America's 'Boots on the Ground' into the foreseeable future unless and until something like the 9/11 or even worse happens or engineered. Americans are inherently isolationists and don't want a single American to die in wars and there are huge political costs associated with American casualties--costs too high for any politician anymore. And the No. 1 job of a politician is to get into Office and No. 2 job is to stay in that Office.

 

[PakFactor]

Pointless. Their leaders and generals sold out Maduro a long time ago. Shockingly weak.

There are lessons to be learned here for Iran and Pakistan - stay united, do not tolerate those who derail national unity and the sovereignty of your borders for their own political gains.

Yes - all you Imran-ites who drivel on about how bad the fauj is - this is directed towards you. Absolutely the biggest problem is your state of chronic myopia that somehow, calling one's borders into question is a sign of "patriotism".

Feel free to respond with "but but but the fauj did this". Nobody gives a damn as long as our nations do not end up like Venezuela. Take a good look and see what could easily happen to any nation. Turkiye just barely avoided this outcome of foreign sponsored regime change and they have quietly built and rejuvenated their independence since then. Iran and Pakistan need to avoid multiple new traps and proceed along the same path.

Pakistan's time will come, like it or not; the Americans have a score to settle with Pakistan. In the geopolitical sphere, Pakistan is a pawn that needs to be removed.

There is no shortage of people in Pakistan who would flip. Given our history with our own population, the chicken was baked long ago; it's just a matter of the guests coming for supper. This, too, is the fault of the leadership that created such an environment over time; there really is no unity, and one day everyone will have to pay.

The current relationship with the U.S. is just a personal relationship of personalities, nothing more.

 

[Oscar]

View attachment 169713

Not if the simple threat is to kill leadership and then implant a favorable individual.
Then there is actual "fighting spirit" for the country. For a place like Venezuela already broken by years of economic destruction and strongman rule - would be surprising if there is anything beyond token resistance.

Countries are not destroyed by military might - it takes a lot more internally to break down the systems and the people before bringing in the military.

 

[Master Chief]

there is no regime change (yet)

Maduro's replacement was sworn into power and rejected Trump's demands and issued a decree for nation wide mobilisation

For what purpose?

Come on man.

This is all smoke and mirrors. There is nobody to even fight against.

The folks ordering "mobilisations" 12 hours too late are exactly the folks who were paid off already.

This "replacement government" will immediately back down on any international point of friction with the US, from rejection of Israeli policies to control of Venezuelan oil. You will see them quietly permit Americans to have their merry way like never before. This is a wholesale capitulation.

We used to think South Americans had some fight in them. I'm afraid that doesn't seem to be the case. It's China, Russia and the usual pesky mozlems who will be the only thorns in USA's side.